Graphic Designer II - Special Projects

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer II - Special Projects

Company: Fanatics Collectibles

Location: New York, NY, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Design Operations (Specializing in Collectibles & Digital Assets)

Date Posted: 2026-10-01

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 Years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the creation of innovative and visually compelling trading card designs and promotional concepts within a fast-paced, high-craft environment.

• Execute complex image treatments and photo manipulations, ensuring exceptional quality and brand alignment for digital and print deliverables.

• Maintain rigorous production discipline and file hygiene to deliver prepress/print-ready files for both digital and offset printing workflows.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Development, Production/Prepress, and Project Management, to ensure timely and high-quality project completion.

• Develop polished design mockups and presentation materials for partner- and stakeholder-facing reviews, effectively communicating concepts and ensuring accuracy.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Fanatics Collectibles' Special Projects team, indicating a focus on high-priority, time-sensitive initiatives that require rapid, high-quality design execution. The emphasis on "collectibles, culture, and technology" suggests a dynamic and forward-thinking design environment. The "Graphic Designer II" title typically implies a mid-level position requiring 2-5 years of relevant experience, with a solid understanding of design principles and production workflows.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute review-ready card art and promotional concepts that strictly adhere to established brand and style guidelines, ensuring visual consistency and impact.

• Perform complex image treatments, including detailed retouching, cleanup, recombination, and compositing to achieve desired aesthetic and quality standards.

• Produce and deliver final prepress/print-ready files for both digital distribution and offset press workflows, demonstrating strong production discipline and meticulous file hygiene.

• Generate and manipulate a wide range of graphics using industry-standard software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

• Integrate feedback and direction from Art Directors and senior designers effectively, translating critiques into polished, finished design work.

• Actively partner with Product Development, Production/Prepress, and Project Management teams to effectively prioritize workloads and consistently meet project deadlines.

• Maintain clear version control and comprehensive documentation throughout all review rounds, applying feedback rapidly and accurately to iterative design processes.

• Create high-fidelity, polished design mockups for partner- and stakeholder-facing slide decks, ensuring that concepts are clear, accurate, on-brand, and presentation-ready for effective communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for both creative execution and strong production skills, crucial for a role involving collectibles and print. The emphasis on "prepress/print-ready files" and "file hygiene" points to a need for meticulous attention to detail in preparing assets for manufacturing. Collaboration with "Product Development, Production/Prepress, and Project Management" underscores the operational aspects of design, requiring efficient workflow management and communication.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, or a related field is typically expected for a Graphic Designer II role. A strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: A minimum of 2-5 years of professional graphic design experience, with a focus on digital and print production, is required. Experience within the collectibles, trading card, or licensed IP industries is highly advantageous.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud applications, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, with a demonstrable ability to create high-quality graphics and layouts.

• Expert-level understanding of layout principles, typography, and color theory, applied to create visually appealing and effective designs.

• Familiarity with print design principles and prepress workflows, including the ability to deliver production-ready files for offset printing.

• Proven ability to multitask, manage multiple priorities effectively, and drive projects to completion using strong time and project management skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a collaborative approach to working within a team environment.

• Ability to interpret and incorporate brand guidelines and art direction into design work.

• Experience in concept development and translating ideas into visual assets. Preferred Skills:

• Direct experience working with licensed Intellectual Property (IP) and navigating associated review and approval workflows.

• Specific experience in trading cards, collectibles, packaging design, or high-volume print production environments.

• Advanced photo manipulation skills, including expert-level retouching, reconstruction, and compositing in a high-standards environment.

• Demonstrated experience in building presentation decks or creating mockups specifically for external-facing reviews and stakeholder presentations.

• Experience utilizing commercially safe, enterprise-approved generative AI tools to enhance ideation and production tasks, while strictly adhering to brand and rights constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Preferred Skills" section indicates a strong preference for candidates who can immediately contribute to the unique demands of the collectibles industry, particularly those familiar with licensed IP and the review processes involved. The mention of generative AI tools suggests a forward-looking approach to design workflows.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of design projects, with a strong emphasis on digital and print graphic design, particularly in areas such as trading cards, promotional materials, or packaging.

• Demonstrations of proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite applications, illustrating complex image treatments, layout design, and typography application.

• Case studies or project examples that highlight your ability to interpret and execute against brand guidelines and art direction.

• Examples of production-ready files, showcasing your understanding of prepress requirements and file hygiene for print workflows.

• Mockups or presentation decks that effectively communicate design concepts to stakeholders, demonstrating clarity and visual appeal. Process Documentation:

• Examples of workflow management, illustrating how you prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines in a production environment.

• Documentation or case studies detailing your approach to incorporating feedback from art directors and senior designers, showing iterative design processes.

• Visual examples of how you ensure file hygiene and version control for design assets throughout the review and production stages.

• Demonstrations of your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams, perhaps through project examples that involved input from product development or production teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Graphic Designer role, especially in a "Special Projects" capacity, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to clearly demonstrate not just creative talent but also the operational discipline required for production, brand adherence, and stakeholder communication. The inclusion of generative AI as a preferred skill may require candidates to showcase how they've integrated such tools into their workflow.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $75,000 - $81,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Access to employee discounts on Fanatics merchandise.

• Opportunities for professional development and continuing education.

• Retirement savings plan options (e.g., 401(k)).

• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives.

Working Hours: The standard working hours for this role are 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time position. While the role is on-site, flexibility may be considered based on project needs and team collaboration requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is specific to New York City and reflects a mid-level designer position. The note about "base pay only" and exclusion of incentive compensation is standard for transparency. The company's benefits are accessible via a dedicated website, suggesting a robust package.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The company operates within the dynamic and rapidly evolving sectors of digital sports platforms, collectibles, and e-commerce. Fanatics is building a global leader in sports fandom, encompassing commerce, collectibles, and betting. Fanatics Collectibles specifically focuses on reimagining the collectibles experience.

Company Size: Fanatics is a large, established company with over 22,000 employees globally. Fanatics Collectibles, as a newer division, likely operates with a more agile, startup-like feel within the larger corporate structure, offering a blend of established resources and innovative freedom.

Founded: Fanatics was founded with the goal of building a leading global digital sports platform. Fanatics Collectibles is a newer venture within this ecosystem, leveraging Fanatics' extensive fan base and partnerships to disrupt the collectibles market.

Team Structure:

• The Special Projects team likely comprises individuals with diverse skill sets, including designers, project managers, and potentially product specialists, focused on driving key initiatives.

• The design team operates under Art Directors and senior designers, fostering a collaborative environment where creative direction is provided and integrated.

• This role requires significant cross-functional collaboration with Product Development, Production/Prepress, and Project Management, indicating a highly integrated operational structure. Methodology:

• Design execution is driven by a combination of creative concept development and rigorous production discipline, ensuring both aesthetic quality and manufacturability.

• Emphasis is placed on data-informed design, where brand guidelines and partner requirements are meticulously followed, and feedback is incorporated efficiently.

• Collaboration is a key methodology, with clear communication channels established for feedback, approvals, and project coordination.

Company Website: https://www.fanaticsinc.com/careers

📝 Enhancement Note: Fanatics' scale and ambition in the sports industry provide a significant backdrop for this role. The Collectibles division's focus on "next-generation collectibles" suggests an environment that values innovation and technology integration, such as generative AI. The "Special Projects" designation implies a fast-paced, results-oriented operational approach.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Graphic Designer II role is positioned at a mid-level, suitable for professionals with 2-5 years of experience. It requires a solid foundation in design principles and production, with the capacity to handle complex tasks and contribute independently under guidance. The role is crucial for executing the operational aspects of design within special projects.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report to an Art Director or Senior Designer, receiving creative direction and guidance. They will also collaborate closely with Project Managers and teams in Product Development and Production/Prepress, requiring strong communication and coordination skills within the operational workflow.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the visual appeal and market readiness of trading card products and promotional materials. High-quality design execution is critical for brand perception, fan engagement, and the successful launch of new collectibles, thereby contributing directly to the revenue-generating potential of Fanatics Collectibles.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in trading card design, collectibles, and advanced photo manipulation, becoming a subject matter expert within the team.

• Skill Development: Potential to gain experience with new design technologies, including enterprise-approved generative AI tools, and advanced print production techniques.

• Leadership Potential: With demonstrated success and growth, progression to a Senior Graphic Designer role, leading projects, and mentoring junior designers within the operations framework.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Opportunities to learn about product development cycles, manufacturing processes, and project management from other departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is framed not just as a creative position but as an operational one within the design function. Growth pathways are tied to increasing expertise in specific design areas and contributing to the operational efficiency of design production.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in New York City and is designated as on-site. This suggests a collaborative office environment where in-person interaction with team members and cross-functional partners is expected and valued.

Office Location(s): New York, NY, United States. Specific office details (e.g., amenities, accessibility) are not provided but can be inferred to be in a major metropolitan area supporting a large workforce.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace likely fosters a collaborative atmosphere, encouraging interaction with fellow designers, art directors, and project managers to facilitate idea exchange and problem-solving.

• Access to industry-standard design software and hardware is expected, supporting the execution of complex design tasks.

• Opportunities for team-based brainstorming sessions and critiques are likely integral to the design process, contributing to a dynamic and creative operational environment.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected for this full-time, on-site role. While specific flexibility is not detailed, the operational demands of "Special Projects" may occasionally require adaptability to meet urgent deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in New York City suggests a vibrant, collaborative workspace common in creative industries within major urban centers. The focus on "Special Projects" implies a need for efficient on-site collaboration to meet fast-paced project timelines.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative output. Ensure your portfolio highlights relevant projects and skills.

• Design Assessment/Challenge: A practical exercise or case study simulating a design task, potentially involving image manipulation, concept development, or creating mockups under time constraints. This assesses your technical skills, problem-solving approach, and ability to work with brand guidelines.

• Team/Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion about your experience, design philosophy, and how you approach collaboration and feedback. Be prepared to discuss your portfolio in detail and how you've handled past projects.

• Cross-functional Interview (Potential): An interview with members from Product Development or Production/Prepress to assess your understanding of production workflows and your ability to collaborate effectively across departments.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Showcase 5-8 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize work that demonstrates trading card design, advanced photo manipulation, print production readiness, and concept development.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the challenges you faced, your design process, and the final outcome or impact. Emphasize how you incorporated feedback and met project objectives.

• Highlight Production Skills: Include examples that showcase your prepress knowledge, file hygiene, and ability to deliver print-ready files. If you have experience with licensed IP workflows, make that evident.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: If possible, include projects where you collaborated with other teams or stakeholders, explaining your communication and integration process.

• Address AI Usage: If you have experience with generative AI tools, prepare to discuss how you've used them ethically and effectively within brand and rights constraints.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize Yourself with Fanatics Collectibles: Understand their brand, target audience, and the types of collectibles they produce. Research their current product offerings.

• Practice Image Manipulation: Be ready for tasks involving retouching, compositing, and color correction.

• Refine Typography and Layout Skills: Practice creating clean, impactful layouts that effectively utilize typography and hierarchy.

• Understand Print Production Basics: Review concepts like CMYK, bleeds, and resolution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely heavily weigh the portfolio and a practical design challenge. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their design process, demonstrate technical proficiency, and show an understanding of production realities within a structured operational environment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Photoshop: Essential for advanced image manipulation, retouching, compositing, and creating detailed graphic elements.

• Adobe Illustrator: Crucial for vector graphics, logo creation, typography treatments, and scalable illustrations.

• Adobe InDesign: Key for layout design, typesetting, and preparing multi-page documents or card series for print.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary design tool, understanding how design impacts engagement metrics can be beneficial. Experience with tools that visualize design performance or user interaction data might be a plus. CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM or automation tools are listed as primary requirements for this design role, but familiarity with project management software (e.g., Asana, Jira) used for tracking design tasks and workflows would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The toolset is standard for professional graphic design, with a strong emphasis on the Adobe Creative Suite. The mention of generative AI tools as a preferred skill indicates potential future integration into the workflow, requiring adaptability.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: A drive to create new and notable designs that push the boundaries of collectibles and fan engagement.

• Craftsmanship & Quality: A commitment to producing high-quality, visually appealing work with meticulous attention to detail in both creative execution and production readiness.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong emphasis on working effectively with art directors, designers, and cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals.

• Efficiency & Agility: The ability to work quickly and effectively, particularly within Special Projects, to meet tight deadlines and adapt to evolving priorities.

• Brand Integrity: A deep respect for and adherence to brand guidelines and partner requirements, ensuring all designs are on-brand and compliant.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to work closely with Product Development, Production/Prepress, and Project Management, fostering a collaborative environment where design is integrated into the broader operational workflow.

• Feedback-Driven Improvement: A culture that encourages constructive feedback from senior designers and art directors, with an expectation that designers can quickly and accurately incorporate this input into their work.

• Shared Ownership: While individual contributions are valued, there's an understanding that successful project outcomes are a result of collective effort and shared responsibility across teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The